The impact of the national bioengineered food disclosure standard and its methods of disclosure on consumer preferences for gene edited and genetically modified foods

Beginning January 1st, 2022, the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard will require the labeling of food produced with, or containing, certain plant genetic improvement techniques - such as genetic modification. The standard introduces the new term “Bioengineered” on the approved label, which can be disclosed through methods such as a symbol, text, QR code, and mobile text message. Advances in gene editing technology are bringing gene edited foods into the food supply, yet it is unclear if they will be considered Bioengineered or if regulation would require a separate label for food that is gene edited. It is possible that there will be food that is both gene edited and genetically modified. This food may use the bioengineered label stacked with an additional label to signal the presence of gene editing. Disclosure methods and stacking of the Bioengineered label with other labels is the main focus of our study. We fielded an online choice experiment and survey to over 1,200 respondents to uncover the impact that the Bioengineered label and approved methods of disclosure have on consumer preference and how consumer preference changes when the Bioengineered label is stacked with labels indicating the presence of gene editing and genetic modification. Our results show that consumer choice, for both whole and processed foods, is influenced by disclosure method (i.e., symbol versus text). Additionally, we found that stacking the Bioengineered label on those that indicated the presence of gene editing or genetic modification also impacts consumer preferences. The results from the survey showed low levels of association between the Bioengineered label and the plant genetic improvement techniques that it may be meant to disclose.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Delaware

Year dc:date.issued

2021

Author dc:creator

• Pollack, Adam

• Gene editing
• Genetic modifcation
• Label
• National bioengineered food disclosure standard

DOI

https://doi.org/10.58088/erap-n530

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:udspace.udel.edu:19716/29524